Wild Things: Crow season changed

Monday

Oct 29, 2007 at 12:01 AMOct 29, 2007 at 6:45 PM

Diehard crow hunters may wonder why this year's season opener was pushed back. Credit goes to Joe Panglia of Rockford. In the past, crows were off limits during deer season. That's no longer the case thanks to a persuasive videotape Panglia sent to biologist Ray Marshalla.

Jeff Lampe

Diehard crow hunters may wonder why this year's season opener was pushed back. Credit goes to Joe Panglia of Rockford. In the past, crows were off limits during deer season. That's no longer the case thanks to a persuasive videotape Panglia sent to biologist Ray Marshalla.

"I was making an erroneous assumption that you couldn't hunt crows in blaze orange," Marshalla said. "But (Panglia) sent me a video showing guys in blaze orange shooting dozens of crows."

By opening deer hunting weekends to crow chasers - and because federal law limits Illinois to 124 days of crow hunting - the opener was pushed back. Crow season runs through Feb. 28, and hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The daily bag is unlimited.

Did You Know?

In 2006, 517 people died while trespassing on railroad property in the United States. That's a not-so-subtle reminder to upland game hunters that active railroad right of ways are off-limits to hunting.

Child Support Crackdown

Hunters and anglers who owe more than $1,000 in child support will not be able to purchase hunting or fishing licenses through the Department of Natural Resource's automated license system. Estimates show there are at least 6,000 people - owing $60 million in unpaid child support – who could be impacted.

Since September, 61 delinquent parents reached payment agreements of more than $36,000. For more information, call 800-447-4278.

Shooting Site Closing

After eight years of working seven days per week, Randy Moss is closing his Salt Creek Sporting Clays facility near Mason City. Nov. 11 is the final day of operation.

Moss sold his equipment to someone who hopes to open a sporting clays site near Jacksonville.

"I'll tell you the truth, I'm not real optimistic about the future of shooting," Moss said. "We're just not seeing the 25- and 35-year-olds coming out like we had."

Outdoors Answers

Q: "My son has an either-sex youth firearm deer permit that he did not fill in October. Can he use the permit in the January firearm doe season?"

- Eric J. Miller, Congerville

A: Yes. Unfilled, valid permits left over from firearm, muzzleloader and youth seasons can be used during the late-winter season (Jan. 18-20, 2008) so long as the county is open to the hunt. Tags can only be used to take antlerless-only deer.

Last Sunday crossbow hunter Lee Farrar of Bellevue shot a 10-point Peoria County buck that field dressed at 233 pounds and leads the contest at Presley's Outdoors. … Canada goose hunters in Iowa have posted back-to-back record seasons during which they bagged more than 70,000 honkers, according to biologist Guy Zenner. … Disabled bow hunters will have a chance to hunt deer at Lakeview Nature Center in Macomb in November. Call 309-836-2887. … Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Joliet has opened an additional 808 acres to public use and two new parking lots, one that can accommodate horse trailers.